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Post by Clueless Fan on Dec 7, 2015 21:07:18 GMT -5
The Lying Bruce Pearls are up next. Sporting a 6-1 record with the only loss to Colorado.
Sagarin has AU rated #139. Mercer is #196. Sagarin has AU a 7 point favorite.
A winnable game, but having to play in Auburn certainly makes it tougher as Bruce Pearl knows how to get the crowd into a game.
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Post by BearDownMU on Dec 7, 2015 21:19:28 GMT -5
Anyone planning on going to this one? I think I'm going to drive down.
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Post by Hayes on Dec 8, 2015 1:47:21 GMT -5
Auburn could be a tough matchup, as it loves to shoot the 3-pointer -- well. The team makes 11 a game. With most teams preferring to settle for the outside shot against the Bears, that's certainly something to watch.
But Auburn hasn't played anyone. The Tigers are 4-1 with a 10-point loss to Colorado, a one-point win over UAB, and then wins over Northwestern State and Coastal Carolina.
For Auburn, Hoffman said the Tigers will press, so ball protection will be very important; plus, with the depth of the team, you wouldn't expect the press to wear out Mercer too much -- at least not as much as teams that go seven or eight deep.
I'm predicting a win in this one. Obviously, the environment will not be an easy one, but Auburn is very beatable. I think the game the Bears may have trouble in will be Arkansas, but we'll see.
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Post by orangeandblack on Dec 9, 2015 17:31:49 GMT -5
I'm fired up for this one! Mercer has already beat an Auburn team in recent times, and it would be sweet to see it happen again. It's gonna be a tough road environment. MU was strong @ Davidson, so I'd anticipate they'd fare even better here with that experience under their belt. I agree with Hayes that Auburn's 3 point shooting will be key. I'll take the Mercer defense any day!!
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Post by orangeandblack on Dec 9, 2015 17:33:28 GMT -5
Anyone planning on going to this one? I think I'm going to drive down. I'll be tuned in on the SEC network. |
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Post by orangeandblack on Dec 9, 2015 18:46:35 GMT -5
Against 7 division I opponents this year, Mercer has scored between 68-71 each time. I thought that was an interesting stat.
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Post by Hayes on Dec 10, 2015 12:04:40 GMT -5
Anyone planning on going to this one? I think I'm going to drive down. I'll be tuned in on the SEC network. It's on SEC Network? Awesome. That's where I'll be Dec. 15 at 7 pm. |
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Post by Clueless Fan on Dec 11, 2015 10:33:24 GMT -5
I'll be tuned in on the SEC network. It's on SEC Network? Awesome. That's where I'll be Dec. 15 at 7 pm. Now that is an eager fan. Game starts at 9:00 pm (EST) |
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Post by Clueless Fan on Dec 15, 2015 21:48:25 GMT -5
Ugly first half
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Post by BearDownMU on Dec 15, 2015 23:13:11 GMT -5
Was there sitting court side. In all serious, we have a better basketball team than them. We gave some possessions away and played sloppy in the first. Shot poorly. Jestin Lewis played out of his mind. And Jelks is an absolute beast on the boards.
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Post by Hayes on Dec 15, 2015 23:34:15 GMT -5
Entertaining game to watch. Had to dig out of a hole, kind of like Davidson, but just couldn't get it done at the end. Tough to do much against a guy who drains a 3-pointer right in your face.
My opinion doesn't change. I think the Bears definitely could have won that game, but it was so close throughout, so it's still nice to confirm they can win at that level.
Arkansas should be another good one. I think we need to see a little better ball movement like we're used to seeing with this team -- it's hard to rely on Jestin scoring 28 again -- but I don't think that will be hard to find. Phillip Leonard will play better, as well. He didn't have his best game -- 4 points (1-5 FG) and two assists -- before fouling out. Looking forward to that game Saturday and then the Buckeyes next week.
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Post by orangeandblack on Dec 16, 2015 1:41:42 GMT -5
I agree with the above posts... the good news is that the Bears looked great, it was just a few mistakes that put them in a hole. They climbed out of holes all night, but just couldn't quite get it done. I loved the effort I was seeing, and this team should hold their heads up high. That was a hostile road environment and they nearly pulled it off.
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Post by orangeandblack on Dec 16, 2015 1:58:07 GMT -5
P.S. -- Mercer scored 71 again. Still haven't been above that against a D1 team. Our range is 68-71 every time out vs. a D1 school. Usually that's enough!
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Post by Clueless Fan on Dec 16, 2015 10:06:02 GMT -5
This one was winnable. The bears were in it to the end. The poor first half was probably the difference. It would have been nice to have a lead starting the second half.
Lewis was amazing.
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Post by BearDownMU on Dec 16, 2015 10:19:25 GMT -5
The Auburn run at the start of the 2nd half really, really hurt. If you flip that and we have an 8-0 run to start the 2nd, I think their backs break and we win going away. Foul shooting was also not good. But, again, this is a really good basketball team. Just had a cold first half.
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